[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16266]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO THE EMPLOYEES OF WYETH-PHARMACEUTICALS IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

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                            HON. ERIC CANTOR

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 25, 2003

  Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, the breakthroughs in medicine now occurring 
on a daily basis were unimaginable 40 years ago when Medicare was 
established. Seniors lead better lives due to these research 
breakthroughs and new prescription drugs; however, these medical 
breakthroughs are meaningless if seniors cannot access these lifesaving 
medications prescribed by their doctor.
  Last year a constituent of mine from Bumpass, Virginia wrote me 
because she could not afford her mother's private assisted living care. 
She was paying over $550 a month for her mother's prescription drugs, 
and those huge costs severely limited the care available for her 
mother. I can only imagine how heartbreaking a decision this must have 
been for a daughter and her mother--choosing medicine over assisted 
living care.
  That is why I want to recognize the 1,465 Richmond-based employees of 
Wyeth-Pharmaceuticals, a world-class pharmaceutical research company. 
These employees participate in charitable company program that offers 
patients lifesaving medications, free of charge. The Wyeth Patient 
Assistant Program has been a very successful way for seniors in 
Richmond and the Nation to get lifesaving medicines free of charge. 
Wyeth employees are good community partners for Richmond and a group of 
people that we need to recognize for their kindness and compassion.
  But we as Americans can and must do more to help our seniors afford 
prescription drugs.
  Providing voluntary prescription drug coverage to Medicare 
beneficiaries will ensure that America's seniors will be able to enjoy 
their golden years while we as their children and grandchildren will be 
able to enjoy their wisdom and good health. Both a noble and worthy 
cause.

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